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December 13, 2019
ISD 709 School News
For the eighth year in a row, the Hunters sponsored two families and the team did some Christmas shopping for them. The team raises funds for the program throughout the year. For the older players, this event is a big part of the Denfeld tradition and it doesn’t take much convincing to get the younger players to help out too.
Our music teachers, students, administrative, facilities and support staff spend many hours preparing for holiday programs and concerts. One of the best parts of the school year is attending those performances.
Denfeld and Duluth East groups make it a point to go out into the community, too, performing at events, reaching out to nursing homes and assisted living facilities and scheduling visits. Recent news stories highlighted our choirs singing and strolling their way through portions of the Duluth Skywalk, spreading holiday cheer. Great job, students, teachers!
Duluth East Skywalk:
Denfeld Skywalk:
Lester Park Robotics Teams Advance
Lester Park Elementary’s LEGO Robotics teams did well at the Regional competition in Hermantown. Quantum Mechanics placed 1st for their robot performance and Electro Dragonz placed 7th out of 32 teams. Both teams are invited to advance to the Sectional meet in St. Paul in mid-January.
The teams are part of FIRST LEGO League, engaging children in research, problem solving, coding and engineering. The foundation of the program is FIRST Core Values which emphasize teamwork, discovery and innovation.
Many thanks to the Lester Park Foundation, families and volunteers for their support and to all those cheering on our Lester Park FLL Teams.
Thank you, Tracy Thompson, for the photos and information.
#Inspire709
www.ISD709.org/Lester-Park-Elementary
Denfeld High School: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Students in Mr. Simon's pre-engineering class used a broken piano bench to practice some hands-on skills. The bench was brought into their classroom, students examined it and talked through possible ideas. Within minutes they were taking it apart and putting it back together. It'll be back on stage and in good order for a busy schedule in the historic Denfeld Auditorium.Photo: Students Brady Johnson and Nicholas Miller
Thank you, JP Rennquist, for the photo and information.
#Inspire709
Outstanding effort by Denfeld and Duluth East students at the MDTA JV/Novice Championship in Eagen! Congratulations:
>>Maria Freese and Vivian Shaffer, making LD Double Octos.
>>Clara Brock and Alison Rimolde, making Double Octos.
>>Libby Gdula, making it to the outrounds in LD Novice.
>>Sam Gilbert, finishing 9th place in JV Congress Finals.
>>Milo Amundsen, advancing to the Final round in JV Congress.
>>Rex Troche, advancing to Novice Congress semifinals.
#Inspire709
www.ISD709.org/Denfeld
www.ISD709.org/Duluth-East
Piedmont Students Explore STARBASE
Many thanks to STARBASE (148th Fighter Wing), hosting Piedmont Elementary 5th graders for an engaging week of exploration, ingenuity, and fun. Students experienced STEM programming in a state-of-art, student friendly learning environment. A shout out to Piedmont's 5th grade team for supporting this incredible opportunity.
STARBASE is finding the next generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math fields. By providing area youth with innovative, hands-on, free education opportunities in STEM subjects, we help students envision a future in STEM. (STARBASE, 2019)
Sharing Traditions at Denfeld
Ms. Walker and her students made lefse, a traditional Norwegian holiday treat. It’s a soft flatbread made with potatoes mixed with flour, butter and milk or cream.
A great use for leftover mashed potatoes and a great example of learning by doing.
#Inspire709 #GoodEatsStudent Essays Chosen for Tree of Lights
Students from Homecroft and Piedmont Elementaries wrote essays that were chosen to be part of Essentia Health's Tree of Lights event, congratulations!
Homecroft: Sylvie Leino, Callie Douville, Paige Worcester
Piedmont: Ella Stark, Addison LaFave, Alissa Willey, Lyric Hockman, Norah Ronning
Photo: Homecroft students with teacher Ken McNulty.
Thank you, Coleen Nordwall, for the photo and information.
2020 Greg Irons Teacher/Staff Award - Submit Applications by January 15, 2020
Know a great colleague who deserves a pat on the back or some special recognition? Consider nominating them for the Greg Irons Teacher/Staff Award.
Named after a former ISD 709 teacher, the Greg Irons Award recognizes teachers/school staff who ‘demonstrate their belief that all students have worth and the desire to succeed and that responsibility, sincerity, honesty and hard work are the foundation of a person's life.’
Past winners have received a cash award of $500.
Nominations may be made by students, teachers, other school staff, parents or community members and are due to the Community Foundation by January 15, 2020.
Forms are available at www.dsacommunityfoundation.com/forms-and-applications and can be submitted electronically.
For more information, contact the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation at
scholarships@dsacommunityfoundation.com or 218-726-0232.
DSACF Scholarship Applications - Due January 15, 2020
Now is the time to apply for the huge bounty of scholarships available to graduating high school seniors. Duluth is truly blessed with a huge number of awards. Some are based on academics, but others like the Duluth Lions Club Scholarship recognize community volunteerism. Other scholarships limit their eligibility pool by financial need, prospective major, school attending or religious affiliation and, with over 70 scholarships, there’s something for everyone!
Applications are due by January 15, 2020 but the application will take some time, so start early. More information can be found on the website of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation or by phone to 218-726-0232.
Thank You, Contributors
Could Language Immersion Benefit Your Child?
All Families Welcome!
Ojibwe & Spanish Language Immersion Open House
Thursday January 9, 2020
5:30PM – 7:00PM
Lowell Elementary, 2000 Rice Lake Road, Duluth
Research suggests language immersion may contribute to academic achievement, and that students exhibit greater problem-solving abilities, flexible thinking and advanced language literacy and proficiency.
Learn more about the benefits, the specific Ojibwe and Spanish language program models offered, and steps in the application process. Registration for September 2020 begins January 9 - space is limited.
For detailed information:
Misaabekong Ojibwe Language Immersion
Edye Washington, Office of American Indian Education:
edith.washington@isd709.org or 218.336.8700, ext.1152
Nueva Vision Spanish Language Immersion
Crystal Goldman, Spanish Immersion Coordinator:
crystal.goldman@isd709.org or 218.336.8700, ext.1166
More at www.ISD709.org
(This is not a comprehensive list)
>>Committee of the Whole School Board Meeting - Superintendent Search
Monday December 16 5:00PM HOCHS Board Room
ISD 709 Superintendent Search Web Page
>>Regular School Board Meeting
Tuesday December 17, 6:30PM HOCHS Board Room
Detailed meeting schedules, agendas and Board materials are
Meetings are also streamed live and available on YouTube.
December School Board Agenda Items - Detailed Information Online
(This is not a comprehensive list of Board agenda items)
>>Facilities Management & Capital Projects Status Report
>>Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum Reports
>>Policy Updates
>>Annual Independent Audit Report
>>Truth in Taxation Hearing
Job Opportunity: Special Education Paraprofessional - Building Wide
Denfeld High School
32.5 hours/week | Monday - Friday | 8:45 am - 3:45 pm
Starting Wage: $16.08/hr + Benefits
Follow Duluth Public School Job Opportunities on social media:
Stay Connected
Email: info@ISD709.org
Website: www.ISD709.org
Location: 215 N. 1st Avenue East, Duluth MN
Phone: 218-336-8700
Facebook: www.facebook.com/duluthpublicschools/
Twitter: @ISD709News